The Editor, Sir:

I AM DEEPLY offended by parents pushing their large children, usually boys, around in the supermarket trolley. Isn't this mollycoddling at its worst?

Could this kind of treatment be a contributing factor to the dysfunctional behaviour of so many of the boys in the society no matter the strata from which they hail?

In addition, it is downright unhygienic. The trolley must be crawling with germs from unwashed shoes and sweaty bodies. There is no evidence that these trolleys are washed regularly.

long-standing problem

Supermarket staff have told me that children in the trolleys has been a long-standing problem and it is increasing. They are roundly abused when they ask parents to take their precious, very big, darlings out of the trolleys.

Parents, particularly mothers! What are you thinking? Get your children out of the supermarket trolleys! They should be helping you to push the trolley and to do the shopping as part of their preparation for life.

Do it in the interest of public health, if for nothing else. Supermarkets, take some action! Put up visible notices stating that children, particularly seven-12-year-olds, are not allowed in the trolleys.

I am, etc.,

E. THOMAS

Red Hills Gardens

Kingston 20